A three-judge panel at the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals hears oral arguments over the state law requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in every public school classroom. The law went into effect January 1st and is on hold in five parishes. Arguing for the state, Solicitor General Ben Aguinaga (ah-gheen-YAH-ga) said the posters were designed with Supreme Court precedent in mind.

Cut 10 (15) “…that exact concept.”

Representing the plaintiffs, Jonathan Youngwood said kids would be subject to constant religious indoctrination, whether they like it or not.

Cut 13 (09)  “…every single day.”

The court will issue its ruling at a later date; it will undoubtedly be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The state is getting its first look at agricultural damages caused by the winter storm. Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says rye grass is likely lost, forcing cattle to rely on hay for grazing. Strain says some good news is the long term freeze likely killed the Pine Beetles.

Cut 4 (06) “…that are problematic.”

More and more roadways are reopening, now that the worst of the winter storm is behind us. The Atchafalaya Basin Bridge on I-10 is now back open in both directions, which means people can once again drive from Baton Rouge to Texas or vice-versa. DOTD spokesman Rodney Mallett says the sun has been a major ally in the thawing of our roads, but he also credits the extensive work done by DOTD crews…

Cut 7 (12) “…block of ice”

During Oral arguments in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals over the law requiring the Ten Commandments to be posted in all public school classrooms Thursday, Solicitor General Ben Aguinaga (ah-gheen-YAH-ga) argued for the state that the law constitutional because the Ten Commandments are placed amid other historical context on specially-designed posters.

Cut 9 (11)  “…important historical documents.”

Jonathan Youngwood followed with a 20-minute argument for the plaintiffs. He read directly from the posters, and argued that the law is about promoting Christianity in public schools.

Cut 12 (10) “…Gods before me.”

The three judge panel will issue their ruling at a later date and it’s expected to be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court no matter the outcome.

Louisiana is beginning to thaw out. LRN Meteorologist Bill Jacquemin says who would have ever thought that 50-degrees would feel so good…

Cut 14 (10) “…and tomorrow.”

Jacquemin says temperatures will get below freezing again tomorrow morning and Saturday for much of the state

And as the state thaws out, we are getting a look at how crops fared. Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner, Dr. Mike Strain says fortunately most sugarcane was under snow but for winter pastures rye grass is likely lost. He says the cold is a double-edged sword for crops and pests.

Cut 5 (12) “…natural control mechanism.”

The I-10 Horace Wilkinson Bridge over the Mississippi River in Baton Rouge has reopened. East Bound I-10 Lanes between West Baton Rouge and Ascension Parishes reopened Thursday afternoon but remains closed at US 61 in Ascension. Work continues on the reopening of other major highways. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett says they’ve been chipping away at six inches of ice on elevated portions of our highway system, and they expect more progress.

Cut 6 (13) “…the sun.”

Louisiana is beginning to thaw out. LRN Meteorologist Bill Jacquemin says temperatures will get below freezing again tomorrow morning and Saturday for much of the state and then we warm-up.

Cut 15 (11) “…lower 60s”

A three-judge panel at the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral arguments this morning over the state’s Ten Commandments law requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in all Louisiana public school classrooms. During Solicitor General Ben Aguinaga (ah-gheen-YAH-ga) argument for the state, Judge Catharina Haynes expressed skepticism that posting the Ten Commandments is about teaching American history.

Cut 11 (16) “…the First Amendment.”

The three judges will issue their ruling at a later date and no matter the outcome is expected to be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Fans of Duck Dynasty welcome news that Duck Dynasty: The Revival is coming to A&E this summer. The updated series will feature Willie and Korie Robertson and their growing family including now adult children and grandchildren and the expansion of Duck Commander. Miss Kay and Uncle Si will also rejoin the show. A&E has ordered 2 seasons of the updated series. The original Duck Dynasty was the most-watched nonfiction series in cable history.

Crews are working to reopen major highways closed because of snow and ice. Large portions of I-10 and I-55 are closed as well as U-S 90 in Terrebonne and Lafourche Parishes but DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett praised crews from Arkansas for their ongoing help.

Cut 8 (11) “…had worked.”

The Arkansas Department of Transportation brought with them 16 snowplows that also had salt spreaders.

As the state thaws out we are getting a look at the damages caused by the freezing temperature to Louisiana crops. The sugarcane industry can breathe a sigh of relief as Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner, Dr. Mike Strain says fortunately most sugarcane was under snow.

Cut 3 (11) “…the cold weather.”

Oral arguments today before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in the ongoing lawsuit over the state’s Ten Commandments law. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A pharmaceutical rep was shot and killed while walking to his vehicle in the Walgreens parking lot across from Byrd High School in Shreveport Wednesday morning. Police say 67-year-old Billy Lee Jamison, was delivering medicine when someone robbed and shot him then stole the victim’s white van. Police immediately began tracking the van using the van’s tracking capabilities and found it in the Riverwood Apartments in Bossier City. The search for the suspect continues.

A three-judge panel at the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals hears oral arguments over the state law requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in every public school classroom. The law went into effect January 1st and is on hold in five parishes. Arguing for the state, Solicitor General Ben Aguinaga (ah-gheen-YAH-ga) said the posters were designed with Supreme Court precedent in mind.

Cut 10 (15) “…that exact concept.”

Representing the plaintiffs, Jonathan Youngwood said kids would be subject to constant religious indoctrination, whether they like it or not.

Cut 13 (09)  “…every single day.”

The court will issue its ruling at a later date; it will undoubtedly be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Louisiana is beginning to thaw out. LRN Meteorologist Bill Jacquemin says who would have ever thought that 50-degrees would feel so good…

Cut 14 (10) “…and tomorrow.”

Should Louisiana invest in snowplows after a snowstorm that left major roadways closed for multiple days? Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Oral arguments in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals over the law requiring the Ten Commandments to be posted in all public school classrooms. Solicitor General Ben Aguinaga (ah-gheen-YAH-ga) argued for the state that what makes the law constitutional is that the Ten Commandments are placed amid other historical context on specially-designed posters.

Cut 9 (11)  “…important historical documents.”

Jonathan Youngwood followed with his own 20-minute argument on behalf of the plaintiffs. Reading directly from the posters, Youngwood argued that the law is all about promoting Christianity in public schools.

Cut 12 (10) “…Gods before me.”

The three-judge panel will issue its ruling at a later date; it will undoubtedly be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Work continues today on the reopening of major highways closed because of snow and ice. DOTD Spokesman Rodney Mallett says the sun has been a major ally in the thawing of our roads, but he also credits the extensive work done by DOTD crews…

Cut 7 (12) “…block of ice”

Transportation Secretary Joe Donahue says they expect the I-10 Atchafalaya Basin Bridge and the I-10 Mississippi River Bridge to reopen today, but the I-10 Twin Spans and the Bonnet Carre spillway will likely not re-open until Friday.

Work continues today on the reopening of major highways closed because of snow and ice. Large portions of I-10 and I-55 are closed as well as U-S 90 in Terrebonne and Lafourche Parishes. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett says they’ve been chipping away on six inches of ice on elevated portions of our highway system, and they expect major progress today

Cut 6 (13) “…the sun.”

Louisiana Transportation Secretary Joe Donahue says they expect the I-10 Atchafalaya Basin Bridge and the I-10 Mississippi River Bridge to reopen today, but the I-10 Twin Spans and the Bonnet Carre spillway will likely not re-open until Friday.

The Robertson family returns in Duck Dynasty: The Revival, premiering this summer on A&E. Featuring 20 episodes, the reboot follows Willie, Korie, their children, and grandchildren navigating family, business, and legacy. Original favorites like Uncle Si will appear, but Phil Robertson who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s will not. Episodes will stream on a major platform after airing.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries agents were busy during the snowstorm rescuing duck hunters. Two duck hunters were stranded on Lake Henderson in St. Martin Parish and Sergeant Jeremy Foret was part of the effort where four duck hunters got stranded in St. Mary Parish…

Cut 13 (06)  “…call for help.”

Today makrs the beginning on D.C. Mardi Gras in Washington D.C.  Jeremy Alford, the publisher of LaPolitcs-dot-com, says the weather here in Louisiana is preventing several people from being able to attend because they cannot get out of the state. He says one of the biggest talking points this year is which Louisianians will get roles in the second Trump administration. He says this is the networking event of the year.

Cut 5 (09) “…government relations professionals.”

The temperature has climbed above freezing and progress will be made in re-opening major sections of Louisiana’s interstate system. State Transportation Secretary Joe Donahue…

Cut 18 (16) “…New Orleans”

Work has been taking place around the clock to reopen the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway. Boh Brothers is helping to remove the snow, which was much as two feet deep on the northern third of both bridges.

Washington D-C Mardi Gras business meetings and social gatherings begin today in our nation’s capital. Jeremy Alford, the publisher of LaPolitcs-dot-com, says this year’s event is getting off to a topsy-turvy start.

Cut 4 (10) “…up to Washington.”

Because of the numerous flight cancellations at the Baton Rouge and New Orleans airports, many people are arriving to the networking event of the year a day late.

Louisiana Congresswoman Julia Letlow has filed two pieces of legislation to strengthen Agriculture Disaster Assistance. One of the bills aims to help livestock and crawfish producers when adverse weather or drought strikes and the other bill increases the flexibility for farmers with soybean crops covered by federal crop insurance…

Cut 12 (05) “…attention was needed”

Letlow says she’s fighting to ensure Louisiana farmers have the support they need when disaster strikes.

Four duck hunters got caught in the winter storm on Tuesday and had to be rescued after their boat starting taking on water in the Atchafalaya Delta Wildlife Management Area in St. Mary Parish. Sergeant Jeremy Foret says after they got the call, it took LDWF agents more than an hour to rescue them…

Cut 15 (04) “…attention was needed”

Later that same day, Foret and his crew rescued a duck hunter who ran out of gas in his boat. He also needed no medical attention.

The weather will warm up today; and with that, the roads will continue to dry out. During a news conference yesterday morning, Governor Landry pointed out that sections of roadway could still be very slick from ice, so be very careful if you need to drive today.

Cut 21 (16) “…back home safely.”

DOTD Secretary Joe Donahue says road treatments are not only ongoing around the clock, but they’re expanding.

Cut 9 (11)  “…to the east.”

Some sections of Interstate freeway have reopened, but long stretches remain closed. To stay up to date on their reopenings, go to 511la.org.

Crews from the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries rescued four stranded duck hunters from the Atchafalaya Delta Wildlife Management Area in St. Mary Parish. Sergeant Jeremy Foret (for-RAY) says there were several factors that led to the boaters needing help.

Cut 14 (06) “…the little boat.”

Foret says none of the four hunters required medical attention.

Congresswoman Julia Letlow has introduced two bills aimed at enhancing disaster aid for agricultural producers and improving crop insurance flexibility.

Cut 10 (11) “…to the finish line.”

The Drought Assistance Improvement Act would modify and expand programs to cover crawfish losses due to adverse weather or drought. The Quality Loss Adjustment Improvement for Farmers Act would require a regional discount factor for soybean crops during extreme weather events.

After spending the last couple of days off the roads in south Louisiana, many people are getting back in their vehicles today. State Climatologist Jay Grymes has this word of caution…

Cut 8 (12) “….on the roads”

High temperatures will get in the low 50s today which should help reopen several major roadways that remain closed this morning.

The winter snowstorm has kept many people from Louisiana from getting up to Washington D-C for D-C Mardi Gras activities, which get underway today and last until Saturday night. Lapolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford it’s an annual gathering of Louisiana’s biggest movers and shakers…

Cut 6 (13) :,,,want to be”

The Fifth U-S Circuit Court of Appeals hears oral arguments today on a controversial Louisiana law that requires every public school classroom to display the Ten Commandments. The plaintiffs in the case say the law tramples on students’ religious liberty and violates the separation of church and state. But Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill says the law is plainly constitutional.

Congresswoman Julia Letlow introduces two bills aimed at enhancing disaster aid for agricultural producers and improving crop insurance flexibility. Sean Richardson reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”